Re: Henge corrals? | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Littlestone Dec 20, 2005 12:03:05

Replying to moss

Oi, less of the 'wild speculations' moss :-)

But going back to a point a bit further up the thread - I can't help thinking that an enclosed and roofed Stonehenge might not be such a wild idea after all (sorry Nigel, I know you're not going to accept that) but what exactly <i>are</i> the arguments against it? It's been suggested, after all, that Durrington Walls and the Sanctuary may have been roofed. Assuming that Stonehenge was principally a place of ritual, ceremony and astronomical observation, surely the rituals and ceremonies would have taken place in more comfort (or secrecy if needed) and far more accurate observations undertaken within an enclosed area (with suitable apertures obviously :-) than through friggin' great gaps between the stones with the wind and rain howling in across Salisbury plain :-)

nigelswift Dec 20, 2005 12:16:27

Replying to Littlestone

"surely the rituals and ceremonies would have taken place in more comfort (or secrecy if needed) and far more accurate observations undertaken within an enclosed area (with suitable apertures obviously :-) than through friggin' great gaps between the stones with the wind and rain howling in across Salisbury plain :-)"

This pre-supposes that they were incapable of recognisiing artistic vandalism, which I refuse to accept. The Parthenon would be much more comfy if the gaps were bricked up, but who would do that?

As for a roof on Stonehenge, from an engineering point of view, with that span, I can't image how it could be done.

cropredy Dec 20, 2005 12:30:53

Replying to Littlestone

Roofing over the henges and circles, now your talking.
For accurate observation, especially moonlight, You need enclosure and darkness, to follow a beam of whatever available light .
I am sure they would have had moveable holed stones.
K.

PeterH Dec 20, 2005 17:40:52

Replying to Littlestone

"It's been suggested, after all, that Durrington Walls and the Sanctuary may have been roofed."

Yes - Alex Gibson in "Stonehenge and Timber Circles" gives reconstruction drawings of roofed Durrington, Woodhenge and others.

I wasn't particularly impressed with the televised reconstructon of the post holes at Durrington. Why do they assume that the posts were so high? Think of Seahenge with the inverted tree trunk and posts going into the earth - down to the underworld. Now that is ritual.